A local tradesperson is seeking help after equipment worth an estimated £3,000 was taken from a job site on Tuesday afternoon.
CCTV footage has captured a suspect, and unconfirmed reports suggest the same individual may have attempted another theft nearby.
A tradesperson in Edinburgh has appealed for help after tools were stolen from a job site in the city centre on Tuesday, 10 March, at around 1pm.
Tools taken, valued at approximately £3,000, included equipment stored in Milwaukee branded packaging. CCTV footage shows a man leaving the site in the Cowgate area, dressed entirely in black and wearing a multi‑coloured striped woolly hat, carrying a Milwaukee storage trolley and case.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the same man, or someone matching his description, was previously seen attempting to steal from a hotel on Holyrood Road.
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
Tool theft is an increasing issue for tradespeople across Scotland. Industry surveys indicate a large majority of workers in construction and related trades have experienced stolen equipment at some point.
Replacing lost tools can cost thousands of pounds, and without specialist equipment, workers may be forced to cancel jobs or lose income while waiting for replacements. Many incidents involve thefts from vans, construction sites, or unsecured storage areas.
Police advise tradespeople to take precautions, including parking in well lit areas, using secure storage inside vans, and removing valuable tools overnight. Registering equipment with recognised asset databases can also help recover stolen property.
For many affected, the consequences go beyond the financial loss. As one tradesperson put it, losing tools can mean losing the ability to work.